Whitefish + Libby + Missoula + Idaho Border + Bitterroot Valley
Western Montana's Glacier Country
After flying into Glacier Park International Airport, head to the quintessential mountain town of Whitefish—just 19 miles from the airport—and check into Whitefish Mountain Resort. Then, wake up to powder day one and grab a hearty breakfast before taking the S.N.O.W Bus to the mountain. To take full advantage of the day, connect with a Ski Ambassador. Whitefish Mountain is big, and with only one day, an ambassador will orient you to the mountain, tell you the best runs, and help you plan your first day on the slopes, where you've got your pick of all four sides of the mountain. Or, take Chair 3 to multiple terrain parks, where there's something for everyone. If you're up for racing, take Chair 7 to the Goat Haunt Course. Night skiing is offered by Chairs 2, 3 and 6 and also in the terrain parks. Cap off the evening with a local brew then hit the nightlife in Whitefish before an overnight downtown.
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Western Montana's Glacier Country
Wake up early and grab breakfast in downtown Whitefish before hitting the road for the two-hour drive to Libby's Turner Mountain. This nonprofit hidden gem is famous for flying under the radar and noted for being “Steep deep and cheap.” More than half the mountain is black-diamond runs, but there's plenty of intermediate terrain too. Take the mile-long double chairlift and ski more vertical than you'll find at most resorts in America. For lunch, grab a burger by the fire in Turner's cozy lodge and then head out for more turns. After a day in the powder, fuel up at Cabinet Mountain Brewing before the 3.5-hour drive to Missoula. Overnight at the Residence Inn by Marriott, or get even closer to Snowbowl ski area by staying at the C'mon Inn. After a long day, settle in at the hotel and plan out your next few evenings in Missoula—it's Western Montana's cultural hub, after all. Note: Turner Mountain is only open on weekends (Friday through Sunday), so plan for day two to be a Saturday or Sunday.
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Western Montana's Glacier Country
Wake up in Missoula and find a local's favorite breakfast spot or coffeehouse then make your way up to Snowbowl, just minutes from downtown Missoula and expanded to include more than 1,000 acres of TV Mountain terrain accessed by the Snowpark chairlift. Play all day in this deep powdery bowl (hence the name). If you're an expert on the slopes, you'll have plenty of extreme terrain and tree runs to conquer. Intermediate skiers take the Transporter chairlift mid-mountain or LaValle Creek chairlift to the summit for access to runs better suited for their skill level. The Spartan Headwall trail can be a fun run for both intermediate and experts alike. When it's time to call it a day, make your way to the Last Run Inn for their much-talked-about wood-fired pizza and bloody marys. After heading down the mountain, explore downtown Missoula for some of the best shopping in dining in the state. You'll have your pick of breweries, too.
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Western Montana's Glacier Country
Another wake-up call in Missoula means another delicious breakfast in historic downtown Missoula. Next, you'll drive just over an hour and a half to Lookout Pass on the Montana/Idaho border. Don't miss the St. Regis Travel Plaza, about 30 miles before you reach the mountain. Lookout's best-kept secret is some of the largest annual snowfall in the state—up to 400 inches—and the on-slope views of the St. Regis Basin are stunning. Five chairlifts serve 1,023 acres and two terrain parks— Huckleberry Jam, a progression park perfect for beginners, and Rolling Thunder, an all-natural terrain park featuring a 1,111 ft long quarter-pipe. Grab lunch in the historic Lodge—one of the oldest in the West. When the afternoon comes to a close, drive back to Missoula for dinner and drinks.
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Western Montana's Glacier Country
Head south for 1.5 hours all the way down Montana's scenic Bitterroot Valley to Sula. At Lost Trail Powder Mountain—also on the Montana/Idaho border—you'll find plenty of blues and black, fun terrain parks and amazing valley views. Après ski, soak your ski legs in the warm mineral waters of Lost Trail Hot Springs before heading back to Missoula. Since it's your last night in town (fly out of Missoula Montana Airport in the morning), make it a good one. Grab dinner and drinks downtown, where you're bound to also catch some live music and local spirit.
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Always check road reports and weather conditions when traveling through Montana in the wintertime.
If you’re flying in:
Western Montana's Glacier Country Airports
If you’re renting a car:
Western Montana's Glacier Country Car Rentals
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
